A Study in Sable

By: Mercedes Lackey

Narrated by: Gemma Dawson

Length: 11 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's Summary

Psychic Nan Killian and Medium Sarah Lyon-White - along with their clever birds: the raven, Neville; and the parrot, Grey - have been agents of Lord Alderscroft, the Elemental Fire Master known as the Wizard of London, since leaving school. Now Lord Alderscroft assigns them another commission: to work with the famous man living at 221 Baker Street - but not the one in flat B. They are to assist the man living in flat C. Dr. John Watson and his wife, Mary, themselves Elemental Masters of Water and Air, take the occult cases John's more famous friend disdains, and they will need every skill the girls and their birds can muster!

Nan and Sarah's first task: to confront and eliminate the mysterious and deadly entity that nearly killed them as children - the infamous Haunt of Number 10 Berkeley Square. But the next task divides the girls for the first time since they were children. A German opera star begs Sarah for help, seeking a Medium's aid against not just a single spirit but a multitude. As Sarah becomes more deeply entwined with the prima donna, Nan continues to assist John and Mary Watson alone, only to discover that Sarah's case is far more sinister than it seems. It threatens to destroy not only a lifelong friendship but much, much more.

©2016 Mercedes Lackey (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

Great Story

I love Sherlock Holmes being in this one. It was a suspenseful exciting at times unexpected. The narrator however while she has a very strong lead character voice she had a pretty horrible time, changing her voice to suit other characters. She really needs some work.

3 people found this helpful

Story is Fantastic. Performance is Painful.

I love Mercedes Lackey, and her Elemental Masters series is one of my favorites, but the performance of this one left a LOT to be desired. The narrator for this story has a Beautiful voice and her accent really compliments the story, but the positives end there. She fluctuates so drastically between almost whispering to loudly speaking that this story was Physically Painful to listen to. I had to keep the volume up so high, just to be able to hear her softer read lines that when she went to a more normal voice intermittently it hurt my ears. There were also NUMEROUS parts of this story that I couldn't hear at all because of her fluctuations. Just when I'd start to really get lost in the story again, she'd start that blasted whispering of lines here and there, and then immediately go to a louder voice and I'd have to turn it off until my ears stopped ringing. Trying to enjoy this book was literally Rage inducing. I get it that you are trying to read as the character would say these lines, but that doesn't mean you have to Actually mumble beneath your breath for us to get the full effect. Listeners would MUCH rather be able to hear the Dang Book!

1 person found this helpful

More Elemental Masters

Would you consider the audio edition of A Study in Sable to be better than the print version?

Yes. I'm not disappointed with this performance. I enjoyed it. It held my interest.

What other book might you compare A Study in Sable to and why?

It holds up to the other books in the Elemental Masters series. I own four (4) hard copy books, and five (5) audio books in this series. There is not a weak story amongst them.

Which character – as performed by Gemma Dawson – was your favorite?

Miss Nan

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

What goes around, comes around.
You do reap as you sow.

Any additional comments?

Ms Lackey should keep up the good work: More elemental masters!

1 person found this helpful

Great book

Loved it! Great story. Mercedes Lackey never disappoints her reader. Can't wait for the next book.

1 person found this helpful

A new masterwork

I loved yhis book as I have loved all of Misty's other works. I truely enjoyed seeing Sherlock Holmes as a visitor in this work, but having Dr. and Msr. Watson as more major characters was delightful
. But mostly this was an Elemental Masters book and it positively wowwed me! 5 *s!

1 person found this helpful

Only one issue...

In this day and age of really long commutes it is imperative that every word be audible over road noise which means no whispering. At all. Ever. Even if the author says the person is whispering. Even if it is internal monologue. NO WHISPERING.

Otherwise, this is a very satisfying book. Good story. Good writing. Exactly as I would expect from this series. Love the English accent - matches the setting well.

1 person found this helpful

absolutely love it!

Very interesting the mingling of Legend and fiction. I truly do love the adventures of Nan and Neville as well as Sara and Grey!

1 person found this helpful

Elemental Triumph!

Nan and Sarah return to London and join forces with Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson, mix in some mythical mysteries to solve and what you have is this sensational addition to the Elemental Masters series. Mercedes Lackey at her finest combined with my favorite performance in the series so far...

1 person found this helpful

Holmes Fanfic

Ok, let's get this out of the way to start with- this is basically a very elaborate, well written Sherlock Holmes fanfic. Enjoyed it. Great exhibit of Lackey's typical awesome character development. Interesting plot that had plenty mysteries to recommend it. Will reread.

2 people found this helpful

A Study In Sable

Cover promises Sherlock but doesn't deliver very much. A good fast read, not much mystery.